John G. Drouin Sr., 81 of 59 Gaslight Rd. Tilton died unexpectedly February 16, 2005 while winter vacationing in Sebastian FL. He was born in Laconia on April 30, 1923, the son of Valere and Kilda (Fillion) Drouin.
He worked with his father and mother at the V. F. Drouin & Sons Dairy until 1950 and later purchased the family business, renaming it the Ladd Hill Dairy, which he operated until 1964. John developed and ran the Scenic Country Club until poor health forced him to sell the enterprise that is now known as Lake View Golf Course.
When his health was better, he owned and operated J & K Hardware store on Route 3 in Belmont. He also operated a general contracting business and built homes in the Holman St. and Eastman Shore Rd. sections of Laconia.
For many years he was an active parishioner of Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel in Winnisquam. He was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus and Past Grand Knight, Laconia Council #428; Msgr. Sliney Assembly #628.
Members of the family who will love and miss him dearly include his wife of 61 years, Katherine (Cullen) Drouin of Tilton; a daughter, Diane Dyke and her husband Neil of Belmont; six sons, John G. Drouin Jr. and his wife Lisa of Belmont; Richard Drouin and his wife Cindy of Sebastian FL, Raymond Drouin and his wife Karen of Belmont, Michael Drouin of Laconia, Wayne Drouin and his wife Carol of Belmont and David Drouin and his wife Chong of Tilton; 16 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren; three sisters, Joan Shaw of Belmont, Edith Wilbraham of Mentor, Ohio and Patricia Hollinghead of Madison Ohio; two brothers, Leo Drouin and his wife Florence of Belmont and Larry Drouin and his wife Joan of Belmont; nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by a brother, Maurice Drouin and three sisters, Dora MacEslin, Alice Laurent and Rita Flack.
Calling hours were in the Simoneau & Lambert Funeral Home, 139 Church St., Laconia Tuesday from 4 to 8 PM. A Funeral Mass was celebrated in Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Ave. Wednesday at 11 AM. Rev. Adrien Longchamps, pastor was the celebrant. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 2 Wall St., Manchester NH 03101 or Community Health & Hospice, 780 North Main St., Laconia NH 03246. Timothy C. Molan and David L. Furber are the funeral directors.